Gonadal steroids and neurosecretion: facilitatory influence on LHRH and neuropeptide Y.

Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) is regarded as the primary hypothalamic signal that controls reproduction in the rat. Neuropeptide Y, a recently isolated hypothalamic peptide, appears to regulate LHRH secretion. Our studies show that gonadal steroids act in multiple ways to enhance the neurosecretory functions of each of these neuronal systems and, in addition, they promote excitation by NPY of LHRH release from the hypothalamic nerve terminals.